Set Up 2019: Design Your Best Year.

Set up your best year with more Connection, Contribution, Creativity & Care!

I have been wondering why this Holiday Season has felt so good. I think it was that I got to CONNECT with the closest members of my family. I feel so joyful when I’m around them… their laughter, their stories, and all the holiday activities with them, just feed my soul.

My husband & I drove to Seattle with my son and his girlfriend last weekend, to a Seahawks-Chiefs football game. Oh, what a game!! Russell Wilson you rock! And what a delight doing a road trip with the kids… ! It’s not easy corralling adult children these days, but my daughter, my son & his girlfriend slept over in our home on Christmas Eve!! I love waking up to a full house Christmas morning. We all made breakfast together. There is a shared CONTRIBUTION in the kitchen over meals and all the fabulous mess that comes with preparing a turkey dinner! There is also something wonderful in the crazy traditions of matching Santa PJs and the CREATIVE ways we keep the spirit and mystery of Santa alive. I love our annual jog/hike as we are all reminded of our family values to CARE for each other and these bodies we live and play in. My love tank is full… and so is my belly. Let’s be real… it wasn’t the healthiest time nutrition- wise. #%^& Back to somewhat healthier eating… No more chocolate & shortbread for this one!

And now it’s on to planning a healthy, creative, fun New Year for 2019. How about you? Have you been thinking of new goals?

First, connect with what you value. Behavior change is motivated by positive feelings. So, imagine yourself having completed that goal you are thinking about right now. How will you feel when you achieve it? Imagine that feeling in your body. Got a journal, make a note of that!

Second, assess what worked best for you last year in all quadrants of your life. I love that book Strengths Finder because strengths are the foundation we should be building from, starting first thing in the morning. Do you know what yours are? You may want to write them down.

Third, set a goal based on your Values & Vision for Victory :-). I know that if I don’t connect at that place, it will be a challenge for me to commit. How about you? So if your values are friendship or community, what actionable ways can you design a more connected year?

Fourth choose an operational plan to get ‘er done! :-_) All ideas and no action makes for frustration!! Hold yourself accountable by putting a time frame on measurable results – the stepping stones of your new goal(s).

I will be leading a New Year’s Retreat for people who want to take a look at the four quadrants of their lives, i.e.,

* I’d like to offer $50 off to anyone who says “they heard about the event through my blog.

* Take an additional $50 off if you bring a friend.

* So that’s $100 off if you heard about this through my blog & you bring a friend — you then pay $100 and the project gives back $100 basically.

I hope you have a fabulous New Year!! And I hope we get to spend the weekend afternoons of January 19th & 20th together! In past groups, workshop participants have conceived new business plans, life plans, and new positive relationships with themselves.

2 Comments

This got me thinking and i like the clear way you set this out. I have always rebelled against the presciptive side of goal setting ahead of time. But i am going to be bold and say that i will try this year.

That’s great to hear Anne. Having a focus and intention for the year gets me really jazzed up. And its shown in the research as having a positive impact. Even just sitting down to think about what I value most in my life, helps me have clarity in what I choose to put my energy into. Where ever our energy goes, life flows. And I hope you will consider the retreat. There is something really fabulous that happens when people brainstorm in these events. Sharing ideas, wonderful things truly illuminate. Happy New Year!! xo Jo-Anne

Thank you Jo-Anne for helping me find peace, happiness, hope and the ability to retrain the way I think and the way I react to situations. Thank you for doing it in such a way that for the rest of my life I can use my new “key”, my new tools to reshape my mental patterns and carry out a great life!

T

Thank you so much for giving me the tools to overcome my anxiety and my fears.

K

We just wanted to send you a BIG THANK YOU for guiding us through our relationship issues last year. We are doing so much better together and we have both seen large improvements and changes in our behaviour. We are very happy together and we feel very connected to ourselves and each other. You are such a great inspiration. We were very lucky that you were the one to help us out through our difficult journey.

R & M

Jo-Anne has been such a valuable help in alleviating anxiety in several of my patients.

Dr. David HazlettM.D.

Jo-Anne has provided my patients with excellent care in the area of couples therapy and with individuals.

Dr. Marck HudonM.D.

I would recommend Jo-Anne highly. She is a knowledgeable, effective and professional psychotherapist. My patients are most grateful.

Dr. Marc BoileauM.D.

I loved Jo-Anne’s presentation on Sleep. She is enlightening and makes the information easy to understand. Its just a fun way to learn new concepts and its made me a believer that I can sleep when I follow her Five Steps to Sleep.

Julie BernardMinistry of Tourism, Sports & the Arts

I guess I have been seeing you for four years or more…..and in my personal life seen the bottom of my hell, and with your help found a way to figure out who I am, and what I really don’t want and what I really do. I have been able to make my life greater, and bigger – bigger than I ever thought possible. I find happiness in every day, and I laugh all the time now. I have let go of fears, and embraced courage going forward into the unknown. And I can happily say, after much hardship, heartb…

L

Just wanted to let you know you’re appreciated. Your knowledge and ability to share with the TELUS team members is an inspiration to us all. Once again, thank you so very much for returning to TELUS. Your topic on “Dealing with Difficult Conversations” at today’s Connections Lunch & Learn is invaluable. There are some good tools and tips that we can all put to use right away.

I wanted to drop you a note and thank you for all the assistance you have provided me over the years. Truthfully I don’t know where to start! When I came to you I was dealing with many issues that were severely effecting my health, happiness and career. With your guidance and assistance, I have managed to completely turn things around. I am so much more at peace with myself; my personal life is great and my career has never been more focused and successful. I am very happy now in no …